background

Monday, 19 August 2013

Softplay and crochet lessons

Well I'd hoped that this Handmade Monday I'd be introducing you to a handmade baby but at 40+4, Peanut is still incredibly comfy and showing no sign of making an appearance. Despite contractions that have been happening on and off since Tuesday it seems that I'll be pregnant for a few more days at least. Never mind, I won't be pregnant forever and I'll miss my bump once it's gone.

So, in an effort to keep both myself and the children occupied I've been filling our days with all sorts of activities, one of those that I enjoy as I get to sit down and drink decaffeinated lattes and crochet is a lovely softplay.

Earlier in the week I'd gone through a few stitches with her and we'd tried the Lionbrand Gecko that I tend to use as a teaching tool so now we went to softplay armed with a magazine she'd bought, a hook and some yarn and she picked it up so quickly I was incredibly proud. I can't really explain the feeling I get when I teach people how to crochet or do other crafts, I'm proud of myself for being able to pass this skill on and so happy when the person finally clicks. I suppose I get a bit of a big head really but crochet and crafting is such a big part of my life and gives me so much pleasure that knowing I've passed that onto someone else is a wonderful feeling.

Anyway, it didn't take long for her to click with the pattern and after we'd done the first square together. The pattern is from this weeks months Simply Crochet which has some adorable patterns in it this month, it's the first time I've bought it but I'm definitely going to look at it again next month.

She'd purchased some lovely pink chunky yarn and fancied making this Sherbet Dip blanket by Nikki Trench who is a favourite designer of mine. It's a really simple pattern that's incredibly similar to a granny square so it didn't take long for us to both finish our first squares.

Although at first, it was a bit problematic as it's the first proper pattern she's followed so she needed a snazzy chart to help her count the stitches. As you can see, drawing charts isn't my forte.

Mine and hers. There is a little difference in size but her tension is very good. This was the only square I did, the rest is all her own work.

She tagged me in this picture on facebook yesterday to show her progress and I'm amazed. She's absolutely addicted and I can't believe how many she's made in such a short space of time. Would you believe this blanket is for Lily, her spaniel pup! All of this effort and she's giving the blanket to a dog. I've also introduced her to Ravelry and the amount of patterns she's liked means that she's now going to be busy every night for the next 20 years!

As a 'well done' gift I bought her some wool needles (I've always called them bodkins, does anyone else?) and some wool pins. I'd mentioned that she'd need probably need some and she looked at me blankly so I thought I'd get her the ones that I tend to use by Pony.

Earlier this week, she'd seen a Minion Hat I'd been making and said how much she loved the colour combination of bright yellow and blue, I couldn't give her the needles and pins (Oh, there goes an earworm!) without something to store them in so I whipped up a quick needle case.

I had some scraps of this fabric and I thought it contrast well with some bright blue cotton.

I replicated the flower and swirl as best I could, added some bobble edging and a felt inner et voila! It was so easy I almost feel silly writing a pattern for it but I need to practice putting patterns on Ravelry so I think I might have a go with this one. It certainly would have been a good starter project for Laura to have a go on as it's just rows and rows of double crochet then a circle. If the baby doesn't make an arrival I'll definitely write up the pattern and put it here and on Ravelry.

At the moment I'm finishing up an evil minion hat then I hope to have patterns and photo tutorials for that too.

Aww that's sweet i'm amazed how quick i've picked up crocheting, Sharons an amazing teacher... My parents call me demolishing dalby (my surname) as that's what I've been very good at - destroying things. I like to think i'm a dab hand at D.I.Y more A.I.Y (attempt it yourself) been a single mum, needs must. Crocheting is amazing. I'm thouroughly enjoying it and have lots of ideas. It's even helping my weight loss... Took 3lb off this week as my hands have been full of wool and not scraps from cole's lunch. Lily pups blanket is almost complete or so I thought but decided to crochet a few more squares so it fits her bed a bit better, although i'm rather proud of it and debated framing it after lily destroyed the waste water pipe in my parents back garden and sent dirty dish water all over the patio to the other dogs amusement... We shall see. I love my gift and actually went to borrow a needle when she gave me this :-) it sat proudly on the table at softplay today. X

About Me

Hello everyone, I'm a 30 something single stay at home Mum to 2 (soon to be 3) wonderful children.
I adore all things craft and would like somewhere to record my family life so starting a blog and hopefully going to learn lots of things on the way